FULHAM'S Europa League dreams hang on a knife edge after Alexander Madlung's late goal gave Wolfsburg a lifeline to take into next week's second leg.

Second-half strikes from Bobby Zamora and Damien Duff looked like giving Roy Hodgson's men a healthy 2-0 lead to take to Germany, only for Madlung to pounce late on.

It took 20 minutes for either side to register a serious effort on goal, with Christian Gentner having a long-range shot deflected into the arms of Mark Schwarzer, while at the other end, Diego Benaglio almost spilled Zoltan Gera's drive.

Fulham grew stronger as the half went on, Clint Dempsey stung the hands of Benaglio, Duff had an effort saved and Dickson Etuhu flashed a header wide.

The Whites were unlucky not to go into half-time in the lead, but it was Wolfsburg who squandered a golden chance to break the deadlock after the interval.